Leadership trait theory involves identifying multiple personality traits and qualities associated with effective leadership in many situations. According to trait theory, the ability to guide is not something that can be learned but is unique to humans. The logic behind the leading hypothesis is that certain traits cause certain behavioral patterns, these patterns are constant across all attitudes, and people are born with leadership traits. The leadership trait model is used to predict the effectiveness of leadership and is based on the traits of many successful and unsuccessful leaders (Vasilescu, 2019). Then it compares the resulting list of characteristics with the list of potential executives to determine success or failure.
This theory is based on the idea that certain innate skills make it easier for someone to become a leader. It is widely used as a way to identify potential leaders using personality assessments that predict the potential for success or failure of potential leaders. The idea is that once someone begins to show personality traits that can make them good leaders, they can be trained to maximize their leadership potential.
Using a traits approach, researchers use physiological (appearance, height, weight), demographics (age, education, socio-economic background), personality (confidence and aggression), intellectual (intelligence, determination). Attempts to measure (judgment and knowledge), task-related (willingness to perform, initiative and patience), and social (willingness to cooperate with sociability) traits for the emergence and effectiveness of managers (Salihu, 2019). Successful leaders have different interests, skills, and personalities than ineffective leaders. Several studies conducted during the last 30 years of the 20th century have identified many important attributes of great leaders (Harrison, 2018). These qualities are not just responsible for a person’s ability to be a good leader but are considered a prerequisite for giving people leadership potential.
The trait theory has the advantage of being a naturally pleasing theory that provides detailed information and understanding of the leadership aspects of the leadership process. However, additional assessment must be carried as it requires subjective judgment to define who is considered a good or successful leader (Vasilescu, 2019). Many different qualities have been discovered by successful executives in various managerial positions. The list of possible attributes is usually very long, and these explanations are only rough guidelines. It is also arguable which traits are most important to a successful manager. This concept seeks to link physical characteristics such as height and weight with the effects of leadership. Most of these factors are contextual. For example, military leadership roles may require minimal weight and size to perform tasks efficiently. These are not requirements to be an effective leader in a commercial environment.
The trait theory provides useful leadership knowledge. It can be used by people of all levels and of all types of organizations. Administrators can use the knowledge gained from the theory to analyze their position within the organization and determine how they can strengthen their position. They can better understand their identity and how it affects others in the company. This approach helps managers identify their strengths and limitations and better understand how to improve their leadership skills. Even though someone is born with unique attributes that make her or him a great leader, those inherent competencies should be nurtured and developed. Self-guarantee is not always something that humans are born with. Self-assurance may be built, honesty and integrity may be chosen, management pressure can be discovered inside an individual, and commercial enterprise information may be learned. While cognitive ability is in part decided via way of means of heredity, it should nevertheless be developed.
References
Harrison, C. (2018). Leadership research and theory. In Leadership Theory and Research, 15-32. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. Web.
Salihu, M. J. (2019). A Conceptual analysis of the leadership theories and proposed leadership framework in higher education. Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies, 1-6. Web.
Vasilescu, M. (2019). Leadership styles and theories in an effective management activity. Annals-Economy Series, 4, 47-52.